The former African champions failed to soar against the Equatoguineans and need to quickly focus on the next task at hand
Nigeria legend Austin Okocha will hope his presence helps the Super Eagles to pick up and dust themselves after stumbling to a surprise 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.
42nd-ranked Nigeria fell behind to Iban Salvador’s excellent curling goal in the 36th minute before Victor Osimhen’s header salvaged a draw for the three-time AFCON winners.
The Super Eagles were the better team for the most part of the encounter, with Jose Peseiro’s men firing 15 shots at Equatorial Guinea’s goalposts.
Nigeria were wasteful, though, with eight of their shots going off target and goalkeeper Owono making several saves to earn the man-of-the-match and save-of-the-day honours.
Former Paris Saint Germain and Bolton Wanderers playmaker Austin Okocha watched the encounter from the stands.
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After the match, however, Okocha met with officials and players of the Super Eagles, hugging and giving them words to encourage them to look behind the frustrating draw against the National Thunder.
Okocha, it would be recalled, won the AFCON in 1994 and was the Best Player of the Tournament at the 2004 edition.
For Nigeria to get their title hopes back on track in Abidjan, the Super Eagles will have to grab a positive result on matchday two against hosts Cote d’Ivoire.
The Ivorians claimed an impressive 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau on matchday one and will book an early ticket to the round of 16 with another victory over Nigeria.
